Health fair to tout safety for kids up to age 16

Kiwanis Explorer Division sponsors event Saturday at Joyce Center.

Kiwanis Explorer Division sponsors event Saturday at Joyce Center.

July 06, 2006|JIM MEENAN Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND The first Kiwanis Safety Fair went so well a year ago, the Kiwanis Explorer Division figured why not do it again. The second Kiwanis Safety Fair takes place Saturday at University of Notre Dame at the south Joyce Center parking lot from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kiwanis is about helping kids with their health and well-being, explained Tish McBride, of the Knute Rockne Kiwanis Club. McBride and her husband, Tim, are coordinators of the event that Brett Colter got the Knute Rockne Kiwanis Club to start a year ago. The club is one of 11 local clubs in northern Indiana in the Kiwanis Explorer Division which are putting on the event. John Engel is serving as chairman. "It was a lot of work but it was really worth it last year," Tish McBride said. "And it was fun to see all the kids interacting and involved in it." Tim McBride said this year's event will be "even bigger and better." Presenters, he added, "are really pleased this has become a big event. "We are hoping to draw a lot of families." The fair is geared to children from infants to age 16. A year ago, the fair attracted about 750 and the McBrides are hoping to surpass that number Saturday. Give-aways such as 350 free bicycle helmets from Farmer's Insurance and 500 UV bracelets should help. Among the demonstrations at the free fair will be: -A bicycle riding demonstration by Notre Dame Police. -The proper fitting of helmets. -Learning how to get out of a burning house. -Electrical safety. -A canine unit that will demonstrate how it does search and rescue missions. For the older children, Tish McBride said, there will be demonstrations on the dangers of driving impaired and smoking. "We want children to learn the dangers of that and hopefully avoid alcohol use," she said of the former. "And we will also give out information on the dangers of smoking, so we hope children will learn how to not even start." Tish said she is also hoping parents in attendance learn to devise escape routes should their house catch on fire. She also said they will be able to see the effects of drunken driving. A demonstration on how to install a car seat for a child might also interest them, she said. MC Axe and the Firecrew, a band made up of firefighters from Indianapolis, which entertains in several states, also will perform while teaching kids about fire safety, with Casey, the dog. "I am anxious to see them, too," Tish said.Staff writer Jim Meenan: jmeenan@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6342